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Aparajith fifer, Bancroft 150 lights up Day 2

Responding to India A's 135 in the first innings, Australia A <g data-gr-id="21">rode</g> on Bancroft's fourth first-class century to manage 329 for nine at stumps as the hosts gained a healthy 194-run lead.

Sharing <g data-gr-id="25">a 111-run</g> opening partnership with skipper Usman Khawaja (33), Bancroft gave the visitors a solid start as he stitched another crucial 107-run fourth wicket stand with Callum Ferguson (54).

But the hard-working Indian spinners then made inroads <g data-gr-id="22">to check</g> the Australian middle-order batsmen from converting starts into bigger scores.

Left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha (3-99) and off-spinner Aparajith (5-74) shared eight wickets apiece to give the hosts some hope at the end of the day.

The Indian fielding though was way below par as Aparajith and India Test captain Virat Kohli floored two chances to give <g data-gr-id="29">Feguson</g> a longer stay at the crease. Ferguson, who was on 14 and 25 went on to register a crucial half-century. On both the occasions, Shreyas Gopal (1-69) was the bowler to suffer. 

At close Stephen O'Keefe (6) and <g data-gr-id="30">Andrewe</g> <g data-gr-id="27">Fekete</g> (0) were at the crease.

But Bancroft, who was the star with a patient 267-ball knock, laced with 16 fours and a six. His decision to play a long innings and to be out as seventh batsman, helped his team.

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